• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
The Iowa Torch
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
The Iowa Torch
The Iowa Torch
No Result
View All Result
Home State Government

46 manufacturers receive $20M in workforce innovation grants from state

Gov. Reynolds and Iowa Economic Development Authority announced $20M in Manufacturing 4.0 Workforce Innovation grants have been awarded to 46 companies in Iowa.

Mary StrokabyMary Stroka
March 4, 2022
in State Government
Reading Time: 2 mins read
46 manufacturers receive $20M in workforce innovation grants from state

The Pella Corporation in Pella, Iowa implemented Manufacturing 4.0 strategies.
Photo Credit: Iowa Economic Development Authority

(The Center Square) – Twenty million dollars in Manufacturing 4.0 Workforce Innovation grants have been awarded to 46 companies in Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority announced Thursday.

RELATED POSTS

Reynolds names Stephen Osborn Iowa’s new Adjutant General

State of Iowa invites feedback about where to spend broadband funding

Bird joins lawsuit against Biden Administration’s Parole Action

Workforce Innovation grants are geared toward Iowa manufacturers with 76 to 250 employees. The grants focus on addressing workforce shortages that limit the company in growth or sales or help retain existing employees by refocusing human capital from manual, labor-intensive positions into high-skill occupations through robotic and automated systems.

Recipients received up to $500,000 in grant funding for an at least 25 percent match.

The Manufacturing 4.0 plan, which launched in February 2021, is intended to help Iowa manufacturers remain globally competitive, the release said.

“Our Manufacturing 4.0 initiative focuses on one of Iowa’s largest industries and will help them unleash new potential to grow their businesses,” Reynolds said in the news release. “To maintain our economic vitality in this sector, particularly as we work to mitigate ongoing workforce shortages, these grants serve as a critical resource to support advanced manufacturing businesses. It is imperative that our businesses remain globally competitive and a step ahead of the evolving demands of the 21st century economy.”

Innovative Injection Technologies, Inc. (I2Tech), a custom plastics injection molder and supplier of contract manufacturing services in West Des Moines, will use $500,000 to purchase robots to install on their presses.

Demand from their clients increased during COVID-19 when other molders closed, the release said.

“At the same time, the labor pool decreased, and the company found it difficult to meet customer needs,” the release said. The robots will eliminate repetitive tasks, elevate their employees’ skills, and make it easier to accept new and complex projects.”

ADVERTISEMENT

FRM Socks, a sock producer in Osage, will use $340,000 to replace its outdated Enterprise Resource Planning system with a more capable, modern, cloud-based ERP that will allow it to automate data flow throughout its value chain, improving interactions with suppliers and customers.

The Workforce Innovation grant recipients are listed here.

Thirty-seven companies with three to 75 employees received on Jan. 21 and Feb. 28 another $1.9 million (up to $75,000 apiece) in Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) Technology Investment Program grants for projects that adopt and integrate smart technologies. They had to match the grants at least dollar for dollar. Technology Investment grant recipients are listed here.

IEDA is accepting applications for Technology Investment program grants.

Companies can apply for $75,000 between Manufacturing Innovation Equipment Grants and Manufacturing Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Infrastructure Investment Grants over the business lifetime. They need to undergo a Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) Industry 4.0 assessment before applying. Grants are available until the fund is depleted.

Learn more at iowamfg.com or email info@iowamfg.com.

Gov. Reynolds appropriated $30 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for the grant programs in October 2021.

Tags: American Rescue Plan ActCOVID-19Iowa Economic Development AuthorityKim ReynoldsManufacturing 4.0workforce developmentworkforce innovation
ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Holt: That’s right, I am an Iowan!

Next Post

Grassley files for re-election to U.S. Senate

Mary Stroka

Mary Stroka

Mary Stoka is a freelance writer, editor, journalist, and public relations professional who lives in Chicago, Ill.

Related Posts

Reynolds names Stephen Osborn Iowa’s new Adjutant General
State Government

Reynolds names Stephen Osborn Iowa’s new Adjutant General

February 6, 2023
State Government

State of Iowa invites feedback about where to spend broadband funding

February 6, 2023
Reynolds signs bill creating education savings accounts
Opinion

Ingstad & Hendrickson: Iowa education reforms point to what’s next

February 2, 2023
Ernst Expresses Concern About Trump’s Upcoming Senate Impeachment Trial
Opinion

Ernst: Investigation proves group that funneled tax dollars into Chinese labs can’t be trusted.

February 2, 2023
Reynolds signs bill creating education savings accounts
State Government

Reynolds signs bill creating education savings accounts

January 24, 2023
Study: $1,702 Collected in Property Taxes Per Capita in Iowa
Opinion

Hendrickson & Williams: To achieve meaningful property tax relief, right size government 

January 24, 2023
Next Post
Grassley files for re-election to U.S. Senate

Grassley files for re-election to U.S. Senate

Miller joins bipartisan investigation into TikTok

Miller joins bipartisan investigation into TikTok

Sign-Up For Our Daily Updates

Get The Iowa Torch right in your inbox!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Recommended Articles

State Objection Panel keeps Miller, Finkenauer on ballot after petition signature challenges

March 29, 2022
Grassley: Big Victories for Rural Healthcare

Chuck Grassley Announces He Will Run for 8th Term in the U.S. Senate

September 25, 2021
Iowa House Passes ‘Back the Blue’ Legislation

Iowa House Passes ‘Back the Blue’ Legislation

April 16, 2021

Popular Stories

  • Hendrickson: Fiscal Conservatism Works

    Hendrickson: Placing Iowa’s income tax on the road to elimination

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Ingstad & Hendrickson: Iowa education reforms point to what’s next

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • State of Iowa invites feedback about where to spend broadband funding

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Ernst: Investigation proves group that funneled tax dollars into Chinese labs can’t be trusted.

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Iowa Dept. of Revenue Releases 2022 Individual Tax Brackets, Interest Rates, and Deductions

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

The Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans

Categories

  • Education
  • Federal Government
  • Iowa History
  • Local Government
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • State Government
  • Uncategorized
  • Uncategorized

Newsletter

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.